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Stricken hotel burgled for drinking binge
An unemployed Linwood man told police he broke into the stricken Hotel Grand Chancellor in the red zone to drink everything he could get his hands on.
Aidan Oliver Astwood, 23, got past the 2m high security fence protecting the red zone at Cashel Street about 4.30am on October 4.
He then entered the hotel, which is due for demolition, and stayed there drinking a large amount of the hotel?s liquor.
Police found him near the Colombo Street corner, about 300m inside the red zone cordon, and found that he had a set of keys and security access cards.
?In explanation, the defendant stated that he understood the security fencing was in place to prevent the public entering the area,? said police prosecutor Ruth Thomas. ?He said he went into the hotel to drink everything he could get his hands on.?
He added that he had found the keys in an alleyway on High Street.
At a Christchurch District Court court sitting inside the men?s prison today, Astwood admitted charges of burglary and breaching the cordon, and the police withdrew the charge of stealing the keys and security cards.
Defence counsel Vicki Walsh said she was concerned that Astwood had underlying medical issues and an issue with alcohol consumption.
Astwood is already due for sentence on other charges on November 9 at the Rangiora Court House, and Judge Alistair Garland remanded him to the same date for today?s convictions.
A pre-sentence report to assess his suitability for home detention is being prepared, but there was no bail application and he will remain in custody for sentencing.
